CorriXR Therapeutics secures $1M state investment to advance cancer treatment

Governor Matt Meyer and Delaware Division of Small Business Director CJ Bell present a $1 million investment check to CorriXR Therapeutics. (Photo courtesy CorriXR Therapeutics)

NEWARK — CorriXR Therapeutics, Inc., an oncology-focused biotherapeutics company, has received a $1 million investment from the State of Delaware to support its lead program targeting next-generation treatments for solid tumors, including head and neck and lung cancers.

“We’re excited to have the State of Delaware participate in our Series A financing round as we advance toward our first-in-human clinical trial,” said Eric Kmiec, Ph.D., founder & CEO of CorriXR.

“This investment will be critical as we complete preclinical studies, scale-up manufacturing, and prepare our investigational new drug (IND) submission.”

The funding comes as the first $1 million investment from the Delaware Accelerator & Seed Capital Program (DASCP), part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) federal program from the U.S. Treasury Department. The Division of Small Business is administering Delaware’s $60.9 million SSBCI award to provide access to capital for start-up and early-stage businesses.

“Our first $1 million investment is proof that Delaware’s path to becoming the Mid-Atlantic hub for Innovation is well underway,” said Delaware Division of Small Business Director CJ Bell.

“Supporting companies like CorriXR to scale isn’t just good business – it’s the blueprint for turning that vision into reality.”

Governor Matt Meyer praised the partnership, emphasizing its role in positioning Delaware as a leader in biotech innovation.

“This is how Delaware wins the future, with CorriXR demonstrating the power of turning research into real solutions,” Meyer said. “By working closely with experts at the Gene Editing Institute, CorriXR is making promising CRISPR therapies a reality for patients faster than ever. This is exactly why the SSBCI program exists—because supporting innovation today means better treatments, stronger businesses, and a brighter future for Delaware.”

CorriXR is developing genetic medicines that use a patented non-viral gene editing tool to disable transcription factor NRF2, which controls over 200 genes tied to tumor survival. The approach aims to sensitize cancer cells to standard treatments while reducing side effects, with potential applications across more than 30 types of squamous cell carcinomas.